"Yes, the devil can't deny it."
She was silent and seemed to be considering deeply. Then she inquired, crinkling her forehead--
"For about how much longer can you hold on?"
"Hold on--what do you mean?"
"How long, I mean, before you come a cropper, as the saying is?"
"Ah, now it is evident you were educated at Hamburg," he said, trying to joke.
But she would not be evaded. "Could you hold on, do you think, another four years and four months?"
"Why do you insist on the fours?" he laughed.
She drew down the corners of her mouth. "Now you are making fun of me," she said, "and it is really rather sad.... I am so rich, and have, so far, too much money."
"Ah I you would like to lend me some?"